Miller Johnson

Miller Johnson is a full-service regional law firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with additional offices in Detroit and Kalamazoo, Michigan, as well as Chicago, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1959, the firm has grown to a team of over 90 attorneys and is recognized as one of the largest law firms in West Michigan. Miller Johnson has received regional Tier 1 rankings in 41 practice areas in the 2025 Best Law Firms® edition, including Patent Law in Detroit, and was recognized in Chambers USA 2026 for Intellectual Property Litigation.

The firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice offers extensive experience across diverse technologies, including medical technology, wearable devices, computer software, artificial intelligence, automotive electronics, and fiber optics. Beyond utility patent disputes, Miller Johnson also handles design patent litigation, copyright litigation involving software and engineering designs, and trademark and advertising litigation. Their attorneys possess deep technical backgrounds, particularly in mechanical and electrical technologies.

Miller Johnson demonstrates a balanced approach in patent litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. The firm's case history includes appearances as lead counsel for both plaintiff Ascentcare Dental Products, Inc. and defendant Solmetex, LLC, indicating proficiency in litigating on behalf of parties across the spectrum of patent disputes, often against major companies and top law firms. While specific outcomes for the Ascentcare/Solmetex cases were not publicly detailed, the firm's website highlights achieving defense verdicts, significant jury awards, injunctions, and summary-judgment wins in high-stakes utility patent cases.

The firm also maintains a notable practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), having represented clients in over 40 proceedings as both petitioners and patent owners. Nathan P. Sportel, who leads the patent litigation practice, is recognized as an authority in IPR proceedings and was instrumental in the precedential Sotera v. Masimo case, which introduced the "Sotera Stipulation" to address Fintiv discretionary denials.

Key partners in the IP litigation practice include Nathan P. Sportel, a former patent examiner and electrical engineer, who leads the patent litigation practice group and has a strong background in patent prosecution, litigation, and post-grant proceedings. Brandon C. Griffith serves as Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property practice group, focusing on IP strategy, patent prosecution, and transactions, with experience in mechanical, electromechanical, and computer arts. Additionally, D. Andrew Portinga brings appellate experience that includes patent matters, while Jacob J. Cowdrey contributes expertise in mechanical and electrical patent prosecution. Barry F. Irwin is also recognized in Chambers USA 2026 for Intellectual Property Litigation.